When Gemma’s romantic holiday with her boyfriend is cancelled, the tearoom sleuth finds herself heading to Vienna instead, with her cat Muesli and the nosy Old Biddies for company. And it’s not long before they stumble across a murder right in the heart of Austria’s historic capital.A handsome art critic dies suspiciously at their hotel and the Old Biddies are determined to sniff out the killer. … the killer. Is it the bitter hotel owner nursing a grudge? The critic’s jealous mistress wanting revenge? Or even the visiting American who seems inexplicably nervous around the police?
Soon Gemma is dragged into an impromptu investigation which has her tackling Vienna’s famous pastries, snooping in police files and even braving a nude sauna in search of clues!
But can she sort the suspects from the Schnitzel, and solve the mystery before the killer strikes again?
(** Traditional apple strudel recipe included at the end of the story!)
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Great addition to this series.
My favorite in this series so far. Good for your late night reading or summer at the beach reading list. I enjoy the presence of the Old Biddies in the Oxford Tearoom series – they add some dimension to the usual Cozy Mystery format. The author did a lovely job of writing about the setting in Austria and made me want to book a flight to see the magical wonders of Vienna!
The only thing I missed in this book was the interaction between the main character (Gemma) and her boyfriend. The little dips into romance are one of my favorite features in this series.
In this book Gemma takes a trip with the old biddies (if you can imagine that happening) and the story’s murder gets complicated when an old family friend becomes a suspect. It’s full of wonderful food experiences from Vienna–I’d love to research this book.
I love the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries. This book goes all the way to Austria for a change of scenery. I’m glad Gemma brought Muesli along as I always look forward to reading about her The “old biddies” are a marvel and I’m glad they went along to support Gemma. H. Y. Hanna writes a good cozy mystery. She has lovely characters and good settings. And her mysteries are always, should I say, ‘fun’. It was nice to see Gemma elsewhere. As I also got the Audible copy, Pearl Hewitt is a wonderful narrator. I enjoy her voice and the way she reads.
APPLE STRUDEL ALIBI, the seventh book in the endearing Oxford Tearoom Mystery Series, leaves Oxford behind for the decadent city Vienna. Gemma, when her much anticipated vacation with her boyfriend Devlin is cancelled, finds herself bound for Vienna to receive an award for the teashop’s scone recipe. The Old Biddies tag along (they did submit the recipe to the contest in the first place), and they stay in Gemma’s mother’s friend’s newly opened hotel. Things are going well until local critic Moritz Wagner is found dead in the courtyard. The police are quick to call it a suicide, but Gemma and company cannot abide by that and proceed to investigate.
I enjoyed the change of venue in APPLE STRUDEL ALIBI (though I missed the tearoom, too). I relished every sweet Gemma and the Biddies consumed. Hanna’s s description of all of the wonderful desserts is extravagant and mouthwatering. Gemma and the Biddies are as delightful as ever. Moritz is charming, and I hated to see him the victim. There are plenty of suspects, including Moritz’s friend, ex-girlfriend, and the hotel proprietor Sophia. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the mystery moving at a steady pace, and I second guessed whodunit until the last moment.
The Oxford Tearoom series is one of my favorite cozy series, and APPLE STRUDEL ALIBI is a strong entry. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
“Apple Strudel Alibi”earns 5/5 Strudel-ishious Murder Mystery!
Ahhh, Vienna! The thought brings up images of a romantic waltz, Von Trapp family, museums, palaces, mouthwatering desserts, and…murder? Gemma Rose gets a marvelous surprise from the Old Biddies who secretly entered the tearoom scones in the Euro Tearoom Baking Contest. The Little Stables Tearoom won! She can pick up the award in Vienna, but “I’ll be in Malta with Devlin!” plans makes Vienna a no-go. However, romance once again takes a hit on the priority list when DCI Devlin O’Connor’s work ethic cancels those plans sending Gemma, Muesli, and the Four Biddies off to Vienna. There they are confronted with a hotel filled with delightful, some suspicious guests, pompous critic known for scathing reviews, friends, foes, and hotel owners hoping to build a good reputation for their hotel. These all collide into murder, and Gemma with her octogenarian entourage take on the case.
H.Y. Hanna doesn’t disappoint with her signature clever mystery, well-written descriptions, engaging dialogue, and rich, well-developed characters from all walks of life. Have you read her vacation blog about Vienna? Actually having been there, she adds a legitimate realism to the sights, sounds, and tastes…oh, the tastes! deliciously bringing to life the beautiful city of Vienna. I enjoyed the change of setting from the comfortable British countryside to the hectic European city, and much like what one would find in a book one, she spends extra time immersing the reader into the culture and history before diving into the murder mystery. It took longer than I normally like, but I didn’t mind the delay because I enjoy Gemma and the “Biddies,” and was very entertained following them around the city. But, Hsin-yi doesn’t rely on the narrative alone nor turn it into a travel log, she offers entertaining banter between the “Biddies” and Gemma. Ok, Mable is such a hoot! Although this is the eighth book in the series, there aren’t any spoilers and enough background and characters connections to make this an entertaining standalone. But…do not miss the rest of the series! You’ll love it!
Fans, like me, are always excited to learn which recipe Hsin-yi decides to include as a special treat…always connected to the story from scones to sticky toffee pudding to custard tarts, so Traditional Apple Strudel? Yes! She credits Ursula Schersch, “Apple Strudel (Apflestrudel), a typical and beloved Austrian dessert.” She says it is “my granny’s recipe—and I’ve never had any better tasting.” How perfect is that!
“Disclosure: I received an ARC of the book, but I am voluntarily posting a review with honest comments and insights.”
Love this book, love the series. Love the characters.
I’ve been a Follower of this series, and can hardly wait to see what future episodes unfold!
I loved this book! Now I have to go get the first in the series and start at the beginning!
Gemma and Devlin are SUPPOSED to go on holiday together but…life gets in the way so instead…Gemma heads to Vienna to receive an award, the old biddies tag along, Muesli (her cat) travels with her and a murder takes place that intrigues the biddies and Gemma. With a murderer to find, plenty of suspects to pick from, wonderful places to visit in Vienna and a young girl that Gemma feels she can help this is a fun cozy murder mystery that is a wonderful addition to the series. I wonder if Gemma and Devlin will ever catch a break and be able to get some time away together 😉
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.